Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-02-25
THE CASHIERS STORY.
BY ALFRED B. TozER.

I6doOu NY bcll OuO vi At' wv
like the idea of going through life
acknowledging that l am indebted
to the supernatural for my very
existence. l have never believed
in the supernatural. / am not 60
ing to believe in it now if l can find
any other way OF accounting for my
being here, instead of at the foot of
a gravestone out on the hill yon-
der"
We had been discussing spiritu'
alism before the open fire in Char
ley's room, and had drifted from
arguments on the condition OF the
dead 10 the relation of incidents OF
a mysterious character influencing
the lives OF the living.
81 don't like to figure as a crea-
ture Of the mysterious" Charley
continued, "because it seems to
commit me to belief in all sorts
of outlandish and unnatural things
to inclOse me in an atmosphere
altogether unearthly; but my only
relief seems to lie in an utter repu-
diatIon of an occurrence too real
and too productive of practical re-
suits to be repudlated, so you see l
am in good deal of mess over It,"
Now, Charley, is one of the most
matter.Of-fact of men. At the
downtown bank where he holds
the position of cashier, such an ad.
mission on his part would have pro-
duced a sensation. In the familiar
circle where he sat at night 1t only
provoked curiosity. This curiosity
he at once proceeded to satisfy, be-
ginning with an abrupt question;
"Do YOU remember the night Of
the 10Th of March ~
No one seemed to remember, for
no one answered.
"That's singular he said, after
a moments silence. SAT the same
time you all took a great interest in
at least one of the occurrence of
that night. l refer TO the attempted
bank.rObbery."
Certainly; We all remembered
that. We had simply failed to To-
cate it on the date glven-the night
of the 10Th of March.
dwell, when left the bank that
evening"" Charley continued, ~
was accompanied by Dick Munson,
the paying-teller-a pale, nervous
little fellow, with memory for
faces and signatures almost phe'
nOmenal, and an instructive ability
to detect fraud. We stepped on
the bank-steps for a moment to
speak to a customer, and then
passed on up the street together
His rooms are about half a mile
further out than mine, and when
we we're kept at the bank later than
usual, as on that occasion, we fire.
quently dined together at neat
little restaurant not far from my
chambers. We did so that night,
occupying a table alone in a small
alcove from which a window looked
out upon side street.
ave were well through the meal,
when Dick called my attention to
the figure of a man standing on the
outer edge OF the walk, and facing
across the side street.
ado you remember having seen
that person before this evening =
he asked.
81 glanced up carelessly, and re-
piled that, to the best OF my recol-
lection, l then saw the man for the
first time.
"Then,' he added, nervously,
mote some popularity in dress or
attitude, so you will know if you
see him again. Wait; the face is
the best index. He may turn this
way ia a moment"
GAS though Influenced by our
rigid scrutiny, the man on the walk
turned almost before Dick had done
speaking, and faced the window
where we sat.
wDon't look now Dick said,
turmD his own eyes away. 'He is
watcL ag us. When you do look,
notice the upper portion Of bis face.
People of his kind usually point out
their peculialtiss by trying to hide
them. Look sharp under the rim
of the SLOUGH hat he wears for some
Distinguishing mark
"While the teller was speaking,
caught full view OF the mans
face. The eyebrows we're very thick
and black, aud cane close together.
There was no arch to speak Of, and
the general effect was that Of q
straight, unbroken line crossing the
lower forehead. 1t was face not
easily forgotten.
"I thought you would find some
thing there Dick said, when l told
him what had seen. 81 was not
quick enough to see the fellows
face, but should have known him
anywhere. He stood in front Of
the bank.steps when We stopped
there tonight, and has kept us IN
sight nearly all the way up. I'm
less he is frightened of we shall
hear from him before long,
81 laughed heartily at Dicks
view Of the matter, and nothing
more was said on the subject until
we reached my rooms. Then, plac-